Concerned about a delayed periods or missed periods yet confident that you are not pregnant? Missed or delayed periods can have several causes beyond pregnancy. Common causes include both medical conditions and hormonal problems.

Some suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding at times some may face delayed or missed menstruation.

Introduction

A menstrual cycle usually follows a 28-day cycle which ends with the shedding of the uterine lining leading to bleeding. A normal menstrual cycle suggests the proper functioning of hormones. Having a normal period signifies a healthy hypothalamo-pitutary axis with a normal uterus.

Irregular menstruation is a major sign of current and potential health problems. Irregular period is most prevalent in the 21–25 years age group. Early diagnosis and treatment of menstrual irregularities can assist reduce the incident rates of infertility and the sequelae of serious diseases like CHD (congenital heart disease) and Osteoporosis.

How much of a Delay is normal in the Menstrual Cycle?

Menstrual cycle may also be turbulent at two other times: the beginning of your period or Menarche and the beginning of the Menopause transition. Your cycle may become erratic as your body adjusts to change. For most females, a normal menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days. 

Cycles that are shorter or longer than normal are defined as irregular or delayed.  If your menstrual cycle doesn’t fall within these ranges, it could be due to one of the following causes. 

Possible reasons for Delayed periods or Missed periods

Stress

Stress is known to be related to unfavorable health outcomes. Stress is known to affect women’s health specifically, via Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis dysfunction. Such dysfunction may evident in menstrual irregularities or infertility due to hypothalamic hypogonadism. According to the study, the women with high-stress levels experienced irregular or delayed cycles more often than the ones with low-stress levels.

Binge Eating

Binge-eating disorder is a serious disorder in which a person routinely eats unusually large amounts of food and feels unable to stop eating. One study revealed notable associations between binge eating and amenorrhea, which is described as the absence of spontaneous menstrual cycle in females during childbearing age.

Repetitive binge eating can increase insulin levels, rise testosterone, and could affect follicular maturation and ovulation, resulting in menstrual dysfunction like delayed periods or irregular menstruation.

Obesity

Obesity is an expanding issue on a worldwide basis. Anovulation and infertility are known to be risk factors for obesity and high Body Mass Index (BMI). Additionally, Obesity has been linked to increased menstrual cycle irregularity, delayed periods and PCOS, which can cause irregular or missing menstrual cycles.

Through excess estrogen, obesity affects the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis. Additionally, it appears that obese women with amenorrhea or delayed menstruation frequently have higher testosterone levels.

PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal issue that arises during the reproductive years. Because monthly ovulation does not take place and testosterone levels are high, this condition results in irregular or delayed menstrual cycles.  As a result, there is an imbalance in the levels of other hormones.

Sudden OR Excessive Weight Loss

Reduction in body weight was found to have a significant impact on menstruation irregularities. According to a study, Amenorrhea (no bleeding) or delayed periods were more likely to occur the more rapidly people lost weight.

Young women who lose weight experience changes in their menstrual cycle mostly as a result of two mechanisms involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, ovarian steroidogenesis, and estrogen catabolism.

Stop Taking the Birth Control Pills

When you start or stop birth control pills, your monthly cycle might change and it may result in delayed periods. Emergency contraceptive pills are different, this is not about those pills. The pill stops your body from producing the hormones needed for menstruation and ovulation. It may take some time after stopping the pill for your body to begin producing these hormones once again.

Take a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy and then visit your doctor if you haven’t had your period in three months.

Delayed periods doesn’t always mean pregnancy.

Every menstrual cycle is unique, just as every person is. Although periods typically last 28 days, they can last range from 28 to 40 days. Menstrual cycle irregularities can occur for several causes, including chronic stress, discontinuing birth control, and weight fluctuations.

Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you’ve noticed that your cycle has become irregular recently or if you missed a period but are certain that you are not pregnant. Once they can diagnose you, you may once more concentrate on regulating your cycle.